Exodus and Sexual Health

23 distinct sexual health words and images appear in the Book of Exodus. 7 are unique to Exodus when compared to Genesis. The new sexual health terms are: midwives, sexual abstinence, adultery, sexual desire with a sense of malice, premature birth, to seduce, and to miscarry. The total sexual health terms in Genesis and Exodus combined equal 27. 

Exodus Sexual Health Vocabulary in Order of Appearance

Be Fruitful and multiply, PRH RBH:

…but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. (Exodus 1:7)

Midwives, YLD: A participle meaning to cause to bring forth.

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and 

Puah…. (Exodus 1:15)

Conceive and give birth to: HRH and YLD

…and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine 

child, she hid him for three months. (Exodus 2:2)

Foreskin, ORLH:

Bridegroom, HTHN:

Circumcision, MULAH: Exodus 4:26 Appears one time in the OT in this form.

At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.

But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet 

with it.“Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said.

So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to 

circumcision.) (Exodus 4:24-26)

Covenant, BRT:

I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. (Exodus 6:40)

Womb, RHM: 

Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal. (Exodus 13:2)

Sexual Abstinence, NGS: First appearance of this word used for “abstain from intercourse.”

Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.” (Exodus 19:15)

Adultery, NAF:

You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)  This is the first occurrence of adultery used in the Bible. Adultery is intercourse between consenting partners who are married to other people.

Sexual Desire with Malice, HMD: Twice the term means inappropriate desire, and once for appropriate pleasure. 

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)  

The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6)

Private Parts, ARWAH:

And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed. (Exodus 20:26)

Premature Birth, YTSA:

If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. (Exodus 21:22)

Seduce, PTHAW: Exodus 22:16 

Virgin, BTULAH: Exodus 22:16

Bride Price, MHR: Exodus 22:17

If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. (Exodus 22:16-17)

Miscarry, SCL: Exodus 23:26

…and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. 

(Exodus 23:26)

Group Sex?, TSACH: Exodus 32:6 The root word for Isaac, laugh, sport, foreplay

So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. (Exodus 32:6)

Corrupt, SHAHAT:

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you 

brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. (Exodus 32:7)

Plague, NGPH: Exodus 32:35 Possible sexually transmitted infections

And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. (Exodus 32:35)

Sacred Sex Trade, ZNH:

Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.

And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same. (Exodus 34:15-16)

Exodus continues the sexual health positive big picture with the familiar phrase, “the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly….” (Exodus 1:7)  This is the preamble to every covenant in the Book of Genesis. Exodus repeats this exact statement making a sexual health connection with Genesis. 7 times this preamble repeats in Genesis to introduce intimacy between the Creator and humankind. (Genesis 1:28, 8:17, 9:1,7; 17:20, 35:11)

The next two sexual health terms relate to the prolific reproduction of the Israeli people in Egypt.  Midwives is the first use of this word based on the root word found in Genesis meaning to give birth to, YLD. 

Genesis has gone to great lengths to show that sexual health is created by a benevolent God intended to be safe, without coercion, and non violent.  Enter Exodus 4. With regret, this violent piece connects to sexual health vocabulary.

The direct context is the strategy God gives Moses to free the people of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh.  Exodus 4:22-23 states, “Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”

The intervention technology used with Pharaoh matches the violence of Pharaoh and his predecessors who committed acts of genocide against the Israeli’s.  The atrocities in Egypt do not begin with the Creator, Egypt’s holocaust against the Jews returns to find Pharoah’s own first born. Newton’s third law of motion may explain this best, “For every act of violence an equal act of aggression results.” Pharaoh’s genocide against the Israelis results in the extermination of the first born, including the heir to Egypt’s throne. (https://www.britannica.com/science/Newtons-laws-of-motion/Newtons-second-law-F-ma)

God sends Moses on the mission of his life to save the people of Israel from a murderous tyrant.  The English translation of one single verse appears to mock the context and may send the reader to paint the Genesis Creator as a violent-psychopath incapable of reason. While Moses journeys on his mission, English translators edit the text to read, “At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,’ she said. So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)” (Exodus 4:24-26) 

So immediately after commissioning Moses to fulfill the most meaningful event in Israeli history, the Creator lays an ambush to assassinate his quarterback, Moses. His wife, Zipporah, meaning Little Bird, with intent to save her husband from divine contract killing, slices off the foreskin of their son hurling the amputated skin at her husband’s genitals, while screaming, “You are the bridegroom of blood!”. Then the Lord terminates the contract on Moses and aborts the execution. Without intermission, God sends Aaron to Moses and the two brothers kiss. The final verse in 4:31 shows the beautiful scene of compassionate presence with the Elders of Israel worshipping God and embracing Moses’ leadership. Really.

Let’s look at the Hebrew text for some clarity on this bizarre editing by translators.

The Hebrew word order is very plain. In translation the simplest explanation is usually the most accurate. “While on the road at a place of rest, The Lord met with Moses to strengthen him (for the liberation of Israel and the death of Egypt’s firstborn).”

The following verses show Aaron connecting with Moses and the brothers kiss in a fond greeting. The chapter closes with the Elders of Israel accepting Moses as their leader and worshiping The Lord.

Let’s unpack this piece and see if it can make some sense while at the same time being true to both storyline and text.

Exodus 4:26 begins with, At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.” The word for “to meet”, as in meet to kill, PGS, appears 14 times in Old Testament. Only one use of the term PGS, meet, has an aggressive context found in Hosea 13:8.

“Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open; like a lion I will devour them— a wild animal will tear them apart.” (Hosea 13:8) 

All other uses of PGS, to meet, in the Old Testament connect to tears of compassion, resting, commonality of the rich and poor, metaphorically meeting a bear, love and fidelity, darkness transitioning to dawn, gathering at a pool, meeting with a king’s cohort, brothers kissing, and two references to Esau reconciling with his brother Jacob.

The Hosea 13:8 violence citation dates to approximately 800 BCE.  The Exodus 4:24 passage dates 700 years earlier in approximately 1500 BCE. 7 centuries separate these two uses of the same word.  All citations in Genesis and Exodus simply mean a gracious meeting to reconcile family or giving strength in the work of redeeming Israel from Egypt. All references to PGS, meet, in the 16th century BCE do not carry the meaning of attack or violence of any kind. Exactly the opposite the term, PGS, is one of reunion, strength, and beauty. Hosea 13:8 is the only reference to aggression. It seems the plain rendering of PGS is simply to connect with and give strength to Moses for the greatest event of his life.

The  term “to seek”, BQS, occurs 225 times in the Old Testament. This is the word mistakenly edited as “to kill”. Nearly 90% of the citations mean “to seek” without harm. 29 times the word BQS means “to seek to kill”.  214 times BQS simply means “to seek or search for”.  Exodus uses this phrase once in a seek to kill context. Genesis never uses this word combination for seek to kill.  PGS BQS, “to seek to kill” appears nowhere in Genesis and once in Exodus.

When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. (Exodus 2:15)

…and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. (1 Samuel 19:2)

Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape. (1 Samuel 19:10)

Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” (1 Samuel 20:1)

Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.” (1 Samuel 22:23)

David said, “LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. (1 Samuel 23:10)

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. (1 Samuel 23:15)

Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. (1 Samuel 25:29)

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. (2 Samuel 16:11)

and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” (2 Samuel 17:3)

Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon’s death. (1 Kings 11:40)

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death. (Psalms 37:32)

Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. (Psalm 38:12)

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. (Psalm 40:14)

Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. (Psalm 54:3)

Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. (Psalm 63:9)

May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. (Psalm 70:2)

The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright. (Proverbs 29:10)

What are you doing, you devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why highlight your eyes with makeup? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they want to kill you. (Jeremiah 4:30)

“ ‘In this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, at the hands of those who want to kill them, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds and the wild animals. (Jeremiah 19:7)

After that, declares the LORD, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’ (Jeremiah 21:7)

I will deliver you into the hands of those who want to kill you, those you fear—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Babylonians. (Jeremiah 22:25)

When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and officials heard his words, the king was determined to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt. (Jeremiah 26:21)

I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds and the wild animals. (Jeremiah 34:20)

“I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who want to kill them, to the army of the king of Babylon, which has withdrawn from you. (Jeremiah 34:21)

But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who want to kill you.” (Jeremiah 38:16)

This is what the LORD says: ‘I am going to deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who want to kill him, just as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who wanted to kill him.’ ” (Jeremiah 44:30)

I will give them into the hands of those who want to kill them—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 46:26)

I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger,” declares the LORD.“I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. (Jeremiah 49:37)

BQS “to meet” has numerous compassionate presence translations.  Please see below. BQS can also be used in an intimacy context such as the lovers in the Song of Solomon, and the existential seeking of righteousness in compassion and humility. 

All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him. (Song of Solomon 3:1-2)

I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer. (Song of Solomon 5:6)

Friends: Where has your beloved gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did your beloved turn, that we may look for him with you? (Song of Solomon 6:1)

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn. (Isaiah 51:1)

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ (Isaiah 65:1)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

“In those days, at that time,” declares the LORD, “the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the LORD their God. (Jeremiah 50:4)

Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. (Hosea 3:5)

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:3)

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 3:1)

The most accurate translation honoring the character of God and the context of the narrative may be, “While on the road at a place of rest, The Lord met with Moses to strengthen him (for the liberation of Israel and the death of Egypt’s firstborn).” (Exodus 4:25-26) What follows is the circumcision of their son. This act of obedience seems appropriate before Moses undertakes confronting Pharaoh. The most simple rendering of the circumcision scene may be, “Zipporah took a knife and she cut the foreskin of her son, as she held her son’s genitals and said, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me.”

At no time does the Old Testament place the name of God as the subject in “seek to kill” passages except in the questionable narrative of Exodus 4:26. 

BRT, covenant is one of the primary intimacy terms used to describe the relationship between Creator and humankind. BRT means to cut, as in cut animals symbolizing an agreement, to share a meal, or enter into a relationship of emotional intimacy.

I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. (Exodus 6:40)

BRT occurs 284 times in 264 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament.  13 times Exodus cites BRT. Genesis uses the term 24 times. (Strong, H1285)

The gynecological term RHM, womb, occurs in Exodus 13:5 appearing
26 times in 25 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. RHM is also the root for the term, compassion. (Strong, H7355, H7358)

Sexual Abstinence, NGS, appears for the first time translated as “abstain from intercourse.”  

Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.” (Exodus 19:15)

NGS occurs 125 times in the Hebrew Old Testament appearing in 112 verses. This is the only place NGS translates as abstain from intercourse. All other citations simply mean an approaching, withdrawing, or connection of some kind. (Strong, H5066)

Exodus 20:14 connects directly to the Sermon on the Mount sexual health teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5 :27-30)

Looking at a woman lustfully carries the same weight as committing adultery in the heart.   This is a sobering reflection on the adultery and covet commands of Exodus 20:14. The Greek New Testament term for lust is a combination of a preposition, epi, meaning upon, and the word thuo, to kill, slay, sacrifice. The root thuo, for kill, expands to form the word group thumos, meaning wrath, fierceness, indignation, boiling up with rage, wine with high alcohol content driving the addict mad or death by toxic alcohol poisoning, and violent breathing. (Strong, G2372) This is important as an Arabic root meaning loathsome connects to the Hebrew word for covet, HMD. Covet in Hebrew and Greek can mean pleasure or desire in a good sense to another extreme meaning a desire which is loathsome or filled with malice. (Strong, H2530) HMD connects to the New Testament meaning of lust or covet in Matthew 5:27-30. It appears that Jesus is not stating that all sexual arousal is the same as committing adultery. The emphasis seems to be sexual arousal which touches erotic rage, desire combined with malice, and intent to do harm. The context of Matthew 5:27-30 is preceded by Jesus’ teaching on anger and murder. The erotic rage of Matthew 5:27-30 is followed immediately by divorce and victimization. This lends support to the covet command to be translated with anger, rage, or at minimum malaise. James confirms this connection to coveting and malevolence.

You desire (covet, epithemeo) but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (James 4:2)

Enter modesty legislation to protect innocent worshipers from viewing priestly private parts.  ARWAH translated for genitals, nakedness, exposure, or private parts appears 54 times in 40 verses in the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H6172) The term ARWAH appears in Genesis four times. Twice ARWAH connects to the incest snapshot of Ham with his mother in Genesis 9:22-23 with the phrase “uncovering the nakedness of” meaning incest. Two more times ARWAH appears as a picture of spying out the land in terms of exposing military weakness. (Genesis 42:9,12) 

The mandate of Exodus 20:26 seems a bit random as it prohibits building steep steps leading up to an altar of sacrifice. 

And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed. (Exodus 20:26) 

Apparently, near eastern religions made elaborate altars requiring its priesthood to ascend steep inclines to make sacrifice to deities. As clergy ascended the altar with sacrifice in hands, they were unable to control exposure of their genitals during inadvertent billowing of robes. Below this spectacle stood gaping worshipers unable “not to see” the private parts of their local priests. Exodus 28:42 gives this piece some additional clarity by adding modesty underpants for priests to protect innocent gawkers.

Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. (Exodus 28:42)

The term for sexual seduction in Exodus 22:16, PTHAH, appears 28 times in 26 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H6601)  5 of the 28 uses connect to the romantic seduction of Delilah for Samson, and Job’s sexual sobriety reflection in the midst of his grief. (Judges 14:15; 16:5, Job 31:19) The final use of the term seduction connects God’s plan to redeem Israel from idolatry when He states, “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” (Hosea 2:14) 

Virgin, BTULAH, appears 50 times in 50 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H1330) The range of meaning includes both male and female XX and XY who have not have intercourse, to newly married women, and as metaphor for the people of Israel in a state of purity.

Bride Price, MHR: Exodus 22:17

If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. (Exodus 22:16-17)

Bride price, MHR, simply means the amount of money a male would pay the parents of a potential bride. MHR appears two times in one verse at Exodus 22:16-17. MHR also occurs in Genesis 34:12 and the infamous bride price set by King Saul for David of 100 Philistine foreskins. (1 Samuel 18:25)

Sexual education is not complete without conversation on miscarriage. The word SCL, in this verse meaning miscarry appears 24 times in 22 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (H7921) Four of the uses of SCL mean miscarry, the other 20 occurrences touch childlessness and trauma over the loss of children.

…and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. 

(Exodus 23:26)

Exodus 32:7 Moses is directed by God to return to the Israeli’s because they are corrupt, SHAHAT. In Genesis this term is used 6 times in the Noah incest prevention narrative. Humankind will experience global judgement due to the normalization of sexual abuse. The snapshot will end with intercourse and impregnation of Noah’s wife by Ham her biological son. The incestuous offspring, Canaan, will be a symbol of conflict blending into modern day politics. (Genesis 6:11,12,13,17; 9:11,17)  Six is often a symbol of evil in Hebrew numerology. So SHAHAT six times may indicate a comprehensive corruption.

The balance of the word uses for SHAHAT in Genesis appear in the Sodom and Onan snapshots. SHAHAT appears seven times in the Sodom account. Seven is often a number representing completion. So in this case, complete corruption of sexual violence may be intended. (Genesis 13:10, 18: 28, 31, 32, 19:13,14,29)  The final use of SHAHAT in Genesis occurs in the Onan snapshot. Er commits an act of possible sexual abuse and God terminates him. Onan withdraws his penis at ejaculatory inevitability as a means of birth control. The terms used mean “spilling or corrupting” his seed onto the ground.  Every use of the word SHAHAT in Genesis connects to sexual violence or coercive sex. 

The  meaning of Exodus 32:7 and the direction for Moses to return to the people who are now “corrupt” most likely relates to coercive or violent sexuality.

The word for the sacred sex trade appears in Exodus twice at 36:14-15. ZNH, sacred sex trade, occurs 93 times in 81 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H2181) One chief complaint of the prophets against the people of Israel orbited participation in the sacred sex trade.

I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery (participated in the sacred sex trade). (Jeremiah 3:8)

This translation however is incorrect. The term for adultery is NAF, this word in Jeremiah 3:8 is ZNH, sacred sex trade. Editors also added the word adulteries in the first part of verse 8, …because of all her adulteries. The term does not appear in the Hebrew manuscript.  

Leviticus Sexual Health Vocabulary and Images In Order of Appearance

Leviticus features 11 different sexual health terms. Two of the terms do not appear in the Genesis sexual health big picture. These words are NDH, menstrual cycle and ZUB discharge of possible sexually transmitted infection. I have include a possible phrase for sexual offending against children and bestiality in the word count.

Becomes Pregnant ZRH

Gives Birth, YLD

Monthly Menstrual Cycle, NDH

“Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. (Leviticus 12:2)

Circumcision, MOOL

On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. (Leviticus 12:3)

Infectious Discharge, zoob,  τοῦ γονορρυοῦς

Ejaculate, emission of semen

These are the regulations for a man with a discharge (Zoob, Gonoroos), for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen. (Leviticus 15:32)

Sexual Intercourse, SCB

…for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who has sexual relations with a woman who is ceremonially unclean. (Leviticus 15:33)

Sacred Sex Trade,  ZNH

They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come. (Leviticus 17:7)

Incest, Uncovering the nakedness of 

No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations (uncover the nakedness of). I am the LORD. (Leviticus 18:6)

Possible Sexual Offending Against Male Children

Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22)

Intercourse with Animals

Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. (Leviticus 18:23)

Sexual Health Vocabulary of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13

This analysis of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 examines the Biblical Hebrew vocabulary as compared to the entire Hebrew Old Testament. Specifically this work looks at these passages and then compares the word use in the first 5 books of the Bible called the Pentateuch. Then the terms are analyzed in the Prophets and the Writings.

The Texts in Question

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.’” (Leviticus 18:22)

With Biblical Hebrew terms:

“ ‘Do not have SCB (sexual relations)with a ZCR (male) as one does with a ISSHAH (woman); that is detestable.’” (Leviticus 18:22)

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.’” (Leviticus 20:13)

“ ‘If an ISH (man) has SCB (unhealthy sexual relations) with a ZCR (male) as one does with an ISSHAH (woman), both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.’” (Leviticus 20:13)

Leviticus Sexual Health Vocabulary

SCB meaning sexual relations or lie down with appears 213 times in 194 verses of the OT.  SCB, שָׁכַב, pronounced shaw-KAB, means to lie down as in sexual relations, death or any other reason: to cause to lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, take rest, sleep, stay.

In the Pentateuch 18 times SCB means unhealthy sexuality. SCB appears as incestuous rape 5x’s, coercing sex with money 1x, rape of a non family member 6x’s, attempted rape by an authority figure 5x’s, seduction 1x, sex with animals 2x’s, intercourse with hygiene protocols 5x’s, incest with family members 6x’s, abortion protocols 2x’s,  and adultery 2x’s in the Pentateuch. In sexual health contexts SCB is never used for relational intimacy as the word for genital sexual intercourse, YDA. SCB only means coercive or unhealthy sexual hygiene.

SCB as Rape 16 x’s

SCB as Coercion 2x’s

ISH means male, XY chromosome

ISSHAH translates as female, XX chromosome

ZCR can mean prepubescent XY male child as well as an adult male. ZCR appears 82 times in 80 verses of OT. Within the Pentateuch 18 times ZCR means prepubescent child. 16 times in the Pentateuch ZCR may mean sexually mature male. 

The Pentateuch Uses of SCB

The Pentateuch comprises the first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  Conservative scholars believe the Pentateuch was written most likely by Moses. The uses of SCB can be outlined as follows:

5x’s Incestuous Rape

Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep (SCB) with him and preserve our family line through our father.” (Genesis 19:32)

That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept (SCB) with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. (Genesis 19:33)

The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept (SCB) with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep (SCB) with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” (Genesis 19:34)

So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept (SCB) with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. (Genesis 19:35)

3 x’s Coercive Sex for Money

But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep (SCB) with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” (Genesis 30:15)

So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep (SCB) with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept (SCB) with her that night. (Genesis 30:16)

6x Rape

When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped (SCB) her. (Genesis 34:2)

Meanwhile, Jacob’s sons had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened. They were shocked and furious, because Shechem had done an outrageous thing in Israel by sleeping (SCB as rape) with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done. (Genesis 34:7)

But if out in the country a man happens to meet a young woman pledged to be married and rapes (SCB) her, only the man who has done this shall die. (Genesis 22:25)

If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes (SCB) her and they are discovered…. (Deuteronomy 22:28)

He shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated (SCB) her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives. (Deuteronomy 22:29)

You will be pledged to be married to a woman, but another will take her and rape (SCB) her. You will build a house, but you will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not even begin to enjoy its fruit. (Deuteronomy 28:30)

1x Possible Rape of Father’s Concubine

While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept (SCB as rape) with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. Jacob had twelve sons: (Genesis 35:22)

5x Authority Rape

…and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed (SCB) with me!” (Genesis 39:7)

And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed (SCB) with her or even be with her. (Genesis 39:10)

She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed (SCB) with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. (Genesis 39:12)

She called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep (SCB) with me, but I screamed. (Genesis 39:14)

“ ‘If a man sleeps (SCB) with a female slave who is promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. (Leviticus 19:20)

1 x Seduction Narrative

“If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps (SCB) with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. (Exodus 22:16)

2 x’s Intercourse with Animals

“Anyone who has sexual relations (SCB) with an animal is to be put to death. (Exodus 22:19)

“Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations (SCB) with any animal.” (Deuteronomy 27:21)

5 x’s Hygiene Protocols

When a man has sexual relations (SCB) with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening. (Leviticus 15:18)

“ ‘Anything she lies (SCB) on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean.’” (Leviticus 15:20)

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations (SCB) with her and her monthly flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days; any bed he lies on will be unclean. (Leviticus 15:24)

Any bed she lies on (SCB) while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. (Leviticus 15:26)

for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who has sexual relations (SCB) with a woman who is ceremonially unclean. (Leviticus 15:33)

6x Incest

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations (SCB) with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:11)

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations (SCB) with his daughter-in-law, both of them are to be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:12)

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations (SCB) with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. They will be held responsible; they will die childless. (Deuteronomy 20:20)

“Cursed is anyone who sleeps (SCB) with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.” (Deuteronomy 27:20)

“Cursed is anyone who sleeps (SCB) with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” (Deuteronomy 27:22)

“Cursed is anyone who sleeps (SCB) with his mother-in-law.” (Deuteronomy 27:23)

2 x’s Abortion Protocols

…so that another man has sexual relations (SCB) with her, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act). (Numbers 5:13)

Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other man has had sexual relations (SCB) with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. (Numbers 5:19)

2 x’s Adultery

If a man is found sleeping (SCB) with another man’s wife, both the man who slept (SCB) with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. (Deuteronomy 22:22)

If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps (SCB) with her….(Deuteronomy 22:23)

38 times Genesis through Deuteronomy the term SCB is used in unhealthy sexuality contexts. SCB is never positioned as a sexual health term between consenting adults in the Pentateuch.

The Prophets and Writings Use of SCB

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel feature SCB 27 times. SCB in sexual health contexts appears 7 times. Eli’s sons used their position of authority to seduce women for sex who serve at religious worship services (1 Samuel 2:22). The term SCB, meaning rape, appears three more times in King David’s seduction of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:4), and twice for Amnon’s rape of his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:11-14). SCB has one reference to the future sexual assault of King David’s concubines by his son Absalom (2 Samuel 12:11). SCB as genital sexual intercourse occurs twice in reference to Uriah’s resistance to having intercourse with Bathsheba for the purpose of covering up King David’s impregnation of his wife, and David and Bathsheba’s conception of Solomon (2 Samuel 11:11; 2 Samuel 12:24) 

SCBappears 4 times in Isaiah. Isaiah and Zechariah use SCB for rape (Isaiah 13:16; Zechariah 14:2). Ezekiel speaks of the sacred sex trade using SCB, and Micah uses the word in a sense of lack of trust within a romantic relationship (Ezekiel 23:8; Micah 7:5).

The Book of Ruth uses SCB5 times.  Ruth appears in the family narrative of Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew1:5). The author uses SCB skillfully, weaving SCB through the account of Boaz and Ruth becoming sexually intimate and ultimately married. The euphemism “uncovering the feet” may be used for genital sexual intercourse in the narrative of Ruth (Ruth 3:7). All 5 citations refer to sexual contact rather than simple sleeping or lying down.

SCB is used 16 times in sexual health contexts within the Prophets and the Writings. The Prophets never use SCB for healthy sexuality. The context is always seduction, rape, or coercive sexuality.  Book of Ruth uses SCB in a romantic narrative adding the term to uncover the feet. This can be a euphemism for sexual intercourse. Scholars are divided in terms of  “is Ruth an example of healthy sexuality or unhealthy?”

Context of Leviticus 18 and 20

Leviticus 18

Chapter 18 begins with a contextual statement, “You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.” (Leviticus 18:3) The concern appears to orbit incest as was the context of Egyptian sexual health narratives.  Then, Leviticus18:6-17 outlines incest boundaries with immediate family members. 

“ ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.

“ ‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.

“ ‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness. (Leviticus 18:6-17)

The term incest is a Hebrew phrase literally, “uncovering the nakedness of.” This phrase connects to the Noah and Ham incest snapshot of Genesis 9 with exact wording.

Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.  Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.  But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked. (Genesis 9:20-23)

Leviticus 18:18-23 speaks to a variety of sexual health topics.

“ ‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.

“ ‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.

“ ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.

“ ‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. (Leviticus 18:18-23)

There are 13 directives regarding incest in Leviticus 18.  5 times chapter 18 speaks to non incestuous unhealthy sexuality. The context of chapter 18 favors Leviticus 18:22 to be a prohibition about unhealthy sexual intercourse with close relationships. In this case, perhaps mandating against child abuse.

Leviticus 20

Chapter 20 begins with mandate against sacrificing children to Molek. With this prohibition against infanticide is a statement about spiritists, those who call upon the dead. The same concern appears at the end of the chapter forming an inclusio tying this section together thematically. Chapter 20 repeats the Leviticus 18 mandates adding detail about abusing family members through infanticide and incest. The writer also addresses cursing parents, adultery with close community relationships, sexual activity during menstruation, and sex with animals. 9 of the commandments address non incestuous sexual health issues. 8 mandates connect to incest. The Leviticus 20:13 statement, 

“ ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (Leviticus 20:13)  appears between incest prohibitions. The Leviticus 18 passage appears in the context of incest and unhealthy sexuality within close relationships specifically children.

Leviticus 15:33 may shed some light on the use of ISH as man, and ZQR translated prepubescent male. 

…for a woman in her monthly period, for a ZQR (boy) or a girl with a discharge, and for a man who has sexual relations (SCB) with a woman who is ceremonially unclean. (Leviticus 15:33)

The use of the term ZQR as prepubescent male fits both the chapter 18 and 20 passages showing a distinction between a man who can have intercourse, ISH, and a male prepubescent child, ZQR.

Another Leviticus passage affirms that ZQR can mean prepubescent male. 

He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a male child (ZQR) or a girl. (Leviticus 12:7)

Summary

The two passages in question have been translated with the unintended result of violence against same sex communities. The vocabulary appears however to protect male prepubescent children from sexual assault by adult males.